Penn State football had an opportunity to land five-star running back Kemon Spell from the Class of 2027. Those hopes quickly dissipated as he announced his commitment to Georgia on Feb. 2.
5-star RB Kemon Spell gives crushing commitment update to Penn State
Tacking on more unfortunate news for the Nittany Lions, four-star wide receiver from the Class of 2026, Samson Gash, also turned his back on them. Gash officially signed with Michigan State on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Staying in STATE. ⚔️@GashSamson is officially a Spartan! pic.twitter.com/KUhr8ZK9h7
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) February 4, 2026
Four-star wide receiver Samson Gash signs with Michigan State after giving Penn State another look
Second chances are a theme now that head coach Matt Campbell is in Happy Valley. As soon-to-be high school graduates ensure their school is right for them, many recruits felt like Penn State deserved another shot.
Like Spell's situation, though, these additional opportunities are turning into false hope for the Nittany Lions.
Since June 24, 2025, Gash was committed to the Spartans' program. Although it was a more difficult path to land him given he did not de-commit from Michigan State, he still took additional visits in the meantime.
On Oct. 18, 2025, Gash had an official visit with Alabama. He picked up offers from Wisconsin and Georgia as well after his commitment. Penn State not only re-extended an offer under Campbell on Dec. 8, but also scheduled an official visit with the Nittany Lions. He was in Happy Valley on Jan. 16.
Gash was the remaining prospect under Campbell's nose that he was waiting to hear the next update on. With bad news striking, it's onto the next for the blue and white.
Gash is a four-star recruit and ranked No. 283 overall from his class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He is a top 50 wide receiver at No. 46 and also the sixth-ranked student-athlete out of Michigan.
In 2025, he had 997 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns on 58 receptions, averaging 17.2 yards per catch, according to MaxPreps. Gash also had 11 carries for 63 yards and one additional score as a senior.
Gash's father, Sam Gash, is a former Nittany Lion himself. He was a fullback from 1987-91 before moving onto the NFL. He played for New England, Buffalo, Baltimore, and New Orleans, winning a Super Bowl and earning two Pro Bowl selections in his professional career.